iTablet rumors resurface, this time with early-2010 launch

Not getting enough iTablet rumors lately? Well, then we have one more for you: Sources speaking to AppleInsider indicate that Apple will in fact be releasing a iPod touch-like tablet device soon, and has slated the release for sometime in the first quarter of 2010.

Corroborating an earlier report on the tablet, the device is said to have been a work in progress for the last few years. It is believed that Apple wanted to base the device on Intel's Atom processor, but those plans were scrapped when the efficiency of the processors didn't align with Apple's goals. The tablet—if it does indeed materialize—would likely be built around an ARM core with PowerVR graphics, much like the iPhone and iPod touch. VentureBeat turned up sources indicating that Apple's PA Semi chip designers had been split up into two teams—one for iPhone/iPod chip design, one for designing a chip for a tablet.

AppleInsider says that some of its "well-respected" sources indicated that Steve Jobs himself has been overseeing the development of the product, even while on medical leave earlier this year. "He's since cemented the device in the company's 2010 roadmap, where it's being positioned for a first quarter launch," according to those same sources. That puts such a tablet like device beyond the expected late fall/holiday time-frame of earlier rumors.

During Apple's recent earnings call, Tim Cook dismissed the notion of Apple releasing a cheap, netbook-style product. However, he did say that the company never wants to discount anything for the future. "We're only going to play in things where we can deliver something that is very innovative that we are very proud of," Cook said. A tablet that combines elements of Mac OS X and iPhone OS could address what Apple sees as flaws in current netbooks.

As we have seen with the iPhone, though, third-party software is an important element for success of any platform. Will developers be interested in developing for yet another platform? Or will Apple's innovations include a way to run existing iPhone and/or Mac OS X applications? Until Apple takes the wraps of such a tablet—indeed, if it does—we're merely left wondering exactly how this tablet will fit into the company's current product ecosystem. Given Apple's track record, though, we're sure if they do plan to release a tablet, it won't be quite what anyone expects.